picked up a box of stuff from the '20s - '40s

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Hey fellas.  Hobbyist / Enthusiast here .  I have an Oxy/Act  setup now,  (Purox W200 handle, older Marquette fuel regulator, new cheapie Oxy regulator)  but picked up this  box of stuff at a tag sale a couple weeks ago.       Includes a Harris fuel  regulator from the late 1920's, a Prest o weld  oxy regulator from the 30's ?   a Harris model 13  torch with T-handle shutoffs.  , a Rego torch,  a small unknown torch,  old style welding goggles , hose etc   and a book printed in 1943 Anyone familier with this stuff ?  Are the regulators better than todays ones ?? I would like to use them,  and a couple of the  torches as well.  Should i open up the regulators to check them ?? A couple of the handles don't have O-rings , the Harris has a copper washer between, and the Rego is a tapered seat.  Any info or advice appreciated. Attached Images
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Reply:I would strongly NOT recommend opening up the regs, especially the O2 reg. Contaminants and HP O2 do not play well at all together and it doesn't take anything at all to cause issues. Acetylene also needs to be dealt with carefully. If pressures go over 15 PSI, acetylene can become unstable. If you don't get things assembled properly that could happen.If you want to get any of that stuff rebuilt, or orings for the torch tips, I'd recommend Regulator and Torch Exchange. They do really good work and will tell you up front if stuff isn't worth bothering to rebuild.http://www.regulatortorchrepair.com/repairservices.php.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:"...I would strongly NOT recommend opening up the regs, especially the O2 reg. Contaminants and HP O2 do not play well at all together and it doesn't take anything at all to cause issues. Acetylene also needs to be dealt with carefully. If pressures go over 15 PSI, acetylene can become unstable. If you don't get things assembled properly that could happen.If you want to get any of that stuff rebuilt, or orings for the torch tips, I'd recommend Regulator and Torch Exchange. They do really good work and will tell you up front if stuff isn't worth bothering to rebuild.http://www.regulatortorchrepair.com/repairservices.php...".........X2..........When a welder tells you to "stick it", what do they really mean?"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Reply:nice score. i have the same aluminum torch body tag and all. taking the regulators apart isn't a good idea imvho. as posted above the torch and reg exchange people are very customer friendly and could get those cool torches in tip top shape if anyone can.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Torches are probably good. That book is the canonical OA manual. Read it and keep it handy.  Tips for the W-200 are available as it's still in production.  Literature should still be downloadable from the ESAB US site.Regs should be rebuilt for safety. Those parts might be no longer available.
Reply:In the droor next to the goggles, it looks like American Optics paper.    I'm guessing it's round lenses for the goggles.   Are those worth a lot?   If it were a welding lens wrapped in that paper, I think they'd be worth a lot.